Senior Anatomical Pathology Technologist (Apt)

Whittington Health Nhs Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

Whittington Health NHS Trust is seeking a qualified Anatomical Pathology Technologist to join our Mortuary Services team at Whittington Hospital. You will work in a busy environment, handle autopsy workflows and ensure compliance with licensing and safety requirements.

The role requires Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology, excellent communication, organisational skills, and the ability to support bereaved families while managing sensitive tasks and early morning shifts.

Qualifications

• Must hold Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or equivalent.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to engage with bereaved families.
• Able to work calmly and flexibly in a challenging, distressing environment.
• Able to participate in an early-morning autopsy rota and on-call system.

Responsibilities

• Carry out technical work in the autopsy suite and body handling area.
• Assist mortuary manager with supervision and training of junior staff.
• Deputise for the mortuary manager during periods of annual leave.
• Contribute to audits and governance meetings and maintain health and safety standards.
• Liaise with pathologists, police, Coroner office, funeral directors and the public.

Skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Team supervision

On-call experience

Education

Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology

Job description

Job summary

Mortuary Services at the Whittington hospital incorporates a busy hospital mortuary as well as a public mortuary for the London Borough of Islington. The mortuary is fully licensed by the Human Tissue Authority, the UK regulatory body that oversees the use, storage and disposal of human tissue. An autopsy service of the highest standard is provided both for the hospital and H.M Coroner, Inner North London District.

The mortuary also offers a CT scan autopsy service to the police and wider community.

An opportunity has arisen within this mortuary for a qualified Anatomical Pathology Technologist to join our team. The individual must hold the Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or equivalent. They must be motivated, enthusiastic and flexible and able to work in a challenging and sensitive environment with a calm and professional attitude. Frequent exposure to emotional and distressing situations is required to carry out this role.

Main duties of the job

The successful candidate will also contribute to supporting the hospital Medical Examiner (ME) system.This involves the administration of documentation pertaining to patients that die within the hospital and local community.

The candidate will carry out the technical work of the department with particular reference to the management of the autopsy suite and body handling area as required by the mortuary manager. They will assist the mortuary manager in the monitoring and control of work and supervision and training of junior staff.

The candidate will display good organisational skills, whilst carrying out varied and complex tasks.

The candidate will also be required to assist with the arrangement of 'Public Health' funerals' on behalf of London Borough of Islington.

Close liaison with a variety of other professions including Coroner's officers, police, doctors, nursing staff and funeral directors is therefore an essential function, as is communication with bereaved family and friends.

The candidate will be required to participate in the 'Out of Hours' on call system.

The Whittington mortuary is open 8am - 4pm Monday to Friday but these times will be flexible dependent on the autopsy schedule which often begins before 6am.

Candidates must have a reliable means of commuting to ensure consistent punctuality for the early morning shifts. Please note there is no parking on site.

About us

We have an excellent reputation for being innovative, responsive and flexible to the changing clinical needs of the local population. We are treating more patients than ever before and are dedicated to improving services to deliver the best for our patients.Our missionHelping local people live longer, healthier lives.Our visionProvide safe, personal, co-ordinated care for the community we serve.Our goalsWe have developed six key strategic goals to make sure we continue to support people to live longer, healthier lives.

• To secure the best possible health and wellbeing for all our community
• To integrate and coordinate care in person-centred teams
• To deliver consistent, high quality, safe services
• To support our patients and users in being active partners in their care
• To be recognised as a leader in the fields of medical and multi-professional education, and population-based clinical research
• To innovate and continuously improve the quality of our services to deliver the best outcomes for our local population

Job responsibilities

To carry out the technical work of the department with particular reference to the management of the autopsy suite and body handling area as required by the mortuary manager. To assist the mortuary manager in the monitoring and control of work and supervision and training of junior staff.

To deputise for the mortuary manager during periods of annual leave.

To complete audits as required by the mortuary manager and to have close liaison with the Designated Individual and attend regular governance meetings.

To contribute to the promotion and adherence to Health and Safety within the department by carrying out relevant training and attending appropriate courses suitable for the role.

To liaise with pathologists, hospital personnel, H.M. Coroner, funeral directors, police, members of the public etc.

To have, or be able to develop, good communication and interpersonal skills.

To have a sensitive and caring attitude towards bereaved family and friends

To strictly adhere to departmental standard operating procedures, health and safety guidelines and other relevant Trust and departmental policies.

To ensure Health and Safety standards are followed and maintained.

Shortlisted candidates are encouraged to visit prior to interview

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications

Essential

• Level 3 Diploma in Anatomical Pathology Technology or equivalent

Desirable

• Working in a mortuary that acts dually as a bereavement office

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Management, organisation and control of work within a mortuary environment encompassing multiple disciplines. These include the autopsy workload, Medical Examiner system, contract funerals, procurement and general administration.

Desirable

• Management, organisation and control of work within a mortuary environment encompassing multiple disciplines. These include the autopsy workload, Medical Examiner system, contract funerals, procurement and general administration.

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Good literacy skills
• Be able to communicate clearly and effectively
• Remain calm and assured in a pressurised environment
• Ability to prioritise and work to strict deadlinesExcellent knowledge of licensing requirements i.e. Human Tissue Authority Codes of Practice
• Excellent knowledge of Health and Safety

Desirable

• Knowledge of the procedures surrounding the issuing of documentation pertaining to a death
• Knowledge of the Coroner's and Justice Act 2009
• Knowledge of audits and quality management
• Knowledge of the Medical Examiner system

Personal Qualities

Essential

• Excellent interpersonal skills when dealing with a wide variety of people under very emotional circumstances.
• Able to be flexible with working hours

Other

Essential

• Be within easy commuting distance in order to participate in the early morning autopsy rota

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).